I think I got about 3 invitations from Chris Brogan (alone) to join Twitter, not to mention being constantly badgered by others over the past month or two… well, since I had a moment in between encoding and uploading Galacticast (albeit, a little early this week) I finally went and conformed.

And you know what? It’s not all bad… in fact, I like it better than most social network sites. Don’t tell Chris Brogan :P (kidding, I’m sure he’ll get my trackback).

For those of you who want to add me: Click here to visit my Twitter Profile

Rudy and I will be going to PodCamp Toronto and hosting two sessions: Award Winning DIY Special Effects – or How to re-create Hollywood digital video effects from your living room – and Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going – an open discussion panel with some of the most viewed/listened to video and audio podcasters in Canada (Julien Smith, Rudy Jahchan and Casey McKinnon).

It’ll be nice to actually attend a conference that we don’t have to fly down to the States to attend and we’re really looking forward to meeting our buddies in Toronto… especially the two hosts of Battlestar Galactica review show BSG Cast, Matt and Nat.

New media is a catchphrase heard everywhere these days, but what is it supposed to mean? To me, new media is but a synonym of citizen’s journalism or independently produced content created by anyone. Wikipedia, however, describes new media as:

…traditional forms of media that have been transformed by advancements in digital technology and digital computing.

Not so exciting anymore, is it?

Since we launched Kitkast in October 2005, we were using the term new media (Rudy has even taken to calling me his “new media celebrity”). It wasn’t until more recently that we felt the word media didn’t fit with our entertainment-based skit show, that we stopped using the term.

Today I found out about the Canadian New Media Awards, an awards show that claims to “recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and companies in the Canadian new media industry.” I was pleased to find an awards ceremony that seemed so a propos to what we do on Galacticast, but when I had a look at the web site I was thoroughly disappointed.

The flaws:

• There is a fee to enter (I have never believed that one should pay to be nominated for an award)
• Last year’s winners are wolves in sheep’s clothing (ie. old/traditional media who happen to have a web site)

I find it aggravating that this awards ceremony is being sponsored by the Government of Canada and Canadian Heritage. Although my tax dollars are funding it I still have to pay to be nominated? Poppycock.

I don’t care what kind of money people have dished out in the past, it’s time we change awards ceremonies to give awards to the people who truly deserve it, not the highest bidders.

In addition to devoting my bank account to funding Galacticast (equipment, props, etc.), I also got to test out our new sponsorship program by donating some money via PayPal. (For the record, when you donate $1, PayPal takes 33 cents…)

We also launched our store today and a wish list that (if fulfilled) can get you instant producer credit. We’re really excited about the whole thing and hope people spread the word. But no matter what happens, I’m happy because Rudy ordered me a Sci Pride yoga top!

I’m really impressed by the talent of Dany Gehshan… and thank him for working with us to create awesome t-shirt designs.